double element immersion heater wiring

[lauriehurman]

Hi Guys

I've just come across an old immersion heater which I have never seen before and wonder if you can give me a link to a wiring diagram.
Element in at the top, two elements (different lengths), one thermostat, two cables coming in so each element separately switched, BUT one neutral cut off (not connected) and the longer of the two elements does not obviously have two terminals.

Thanks
Laurie

 

[Marvo]

Any chance of a photo please?

 

[Geordie Spark]

Do we know the make of it?

 

[Marvo]

I don't understand how each element can be 'separately switched' if there's only one thermostat unless it's a 2-stage device...

Maybe has it got 2 separate supplies with some kind of economy tariff set up?

 

[Geordie Spark]

I'm confused dotcom. :confused5:

 

[micknew]

Common in the 60-70's.
The top entry unit consisted of 2 elements of different lengths so that you could select the depth of water to be heated.
Switching was by a switch activated by rotating the immersion heater cover which operated a micro switch.
The micro switch was prone to failure, probably due to the 3KW load.

 

[micknew]

BTW I had one and kept it working for a few years till the element failed.
An early energy saving device.

 

[micknew]

Pretty sure it was made by Thorn and was known as a twin element immersion heater.

 

[Guest111]

Many years ago my uncle had one in his house,outside the immersion cupboard was a 2 gang switch,one marked on and off and the other sink and bath,iirc when you switched it to sink only the top element came on giving you a small amount of water for washing up,if you switched it to bath then it ran both elements to heat the full tank,can,t remember much else unfortunately.